The people of Thrissur district are creating hurdles in implementing the Athirappilly hydel project, Electricity Minister M.M. Mani has said.
Speaking after inaugurating the second phase of the solar project of the Thrissur Corporation on Friday, he said when people opposed a project in the name of environmental conservation, the State was being deprived of the much-needed power.
“Thermal power projects are not practical in the State. There are protests even before discussing about them. Though solar projects are good, they cannot be operated during night. However, the government is promoting the solar power projects,” he said.
He said around 2.80-lakh applications had been received for KSEB’s solar projects for houses. The Minister said the government would produce 1,000 megawatt power to make the State power sufficient.
Half of the 1,000 megawatt would be used for government offices and houses, and the remaining would be used for irrigation projects, he said. Local body institutions would be encouraged to produce electricity and the government would also give support to individuals to produce power, he said.
“The State has started the work to set up one more power station in Idukki. Once the second plant becomes functional, we can manage without power cuts,” he said.